Montgomery, AL – Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has led a coalition of 24 states in submitting a formal letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, calling for changes to federal healthcare funding policies related to gender-related medical procedures for minors.
The letter, addressed to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., urges the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to prohibit the use of federal funds for certain medical treatments for individuals under the age of 18. The request specifically pertains to Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
According to the coalition, the request aligns with two proposed federal rules that would limit or eliminate taxpayer funding for gender-related medical procedures involving minors. The attorneys general argue that such procedures should not be subsidized through federal healthcare programs.
Attorney General Marshall stated that the coalition supports efforts to reverse existing policies that allow federal funding for these treatments. He cited concerns raised during prior litigation involving Alabama law, stating that information gathered during those cases influenced the coalition’s position.
The letter references medical guidelines known as the “Standards of Care 8” (SOC-8), published by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH). According to the coalition, concerns exist regarding how these guidelines were developed and applied.
The attorneys general assert that the guidelines were influenced by political considerations and did not consistently follow traditional processes used in developing medical standards. The letter also raises questions about the availability and evaluation of long-term evidence regarding the safety and effectiveness of certain treatments for minors.
Additionally, the coalition expresses concern about specific classifications within the guidelines, including the designation of certain procedures as medically necessary in particular cases.
Attorney General Marshall was joined in signing the letter by attorneys general from Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
The proposed federal rules referenced in the letter are currently under consideration. Any changes to funding policies would be subject to the federal rulemaking process, which may include public comment periods and further review before implementation.
